Wilmington is a port city in North Carolina, known as being a gateway to beaches on the Cape Fear coast. Lying across 52.9 square miles, Wilmington was incorporated in 1739. Its nicknames are “Port City,” due to the Port of Wilmington downtown, and “Hollywood East,” thanks to the presence of EUE/Screen Gems Studios. Its median age is 37.1 (2022). Tourism, pharmaceuticals, nuclear fuel, and food processing bolster its economy.

Wilmington is home to North Carolina’s popular home styles, including Tudor, Victorian, Craftsman, Cape Cod, Colonial Revival, and Mid-Century Modern. The average value of a home here is $381,136, up 21.3% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). Annual events, such as Riverfest, the Azalea Festival, and the Cape Fear Kite Festival, add to a sense of community.

The city’s major thoroughfares include 1-40 and I-140/North Carolina Highway140, and the future I-74, which provide access to a multitude of neighborhoods. Among them are Carolina Place, just south of Market Street. It’s an affluent area with oak-lined streets, stately homes, and proximity to parks. Marsh Oaks is less urban, and includes luxury houses and townhomes, while the charming Wilmington Historic District downtown features gas lamps on tree-lined streets, and 18th and 19th-century architecture.

Wilmington is a vibrant riverfront city. The pedestrian-friendly Riverwalk winds along the Cape Fear River, connecting many of the city’s amenities with hotels, parks, and the Port City Marina.